"If you nothing better to do have, will you so kind be as to begin ?" "Begin ?" said Nino, not understanding.
"Yes, signore; it would unsuitable be if I my daughter to the hands of a man committed unacquainted with the matter he to teach her proposes.
I desire to be satisfied that you all these things really know." "Do I understand, Signor Conte, that you wish me to repeat to you some of the things I know by heart ?" "You have me understood," said the count severely, "I have all the books bought of which you speak.

You will repeat, and I will in the book follow.

Then shall we know each other much better." Nino was not a little astonished at this mode of procedure, and wondered how far his memory would serve him in such an unexpected examination.
"It will take a long time to ascertain in this way--" he began.
"This," said the count coldly, as he opened a volume of Dante, "is the celestial play by Signor Alighieri.

If you anything know, you will it repeat." Nino resigned himself and began repeating the first canto of the "Inferno." When he had finished it he paused.
"Forwards," said the count, without any change of manner.
"More ?" inquired Nino.
"March!" said the old gentleman in military tone, and the boy went on with the second canto.
"Apparently know you the beginning." The count opened the book at random in another place.

"The thirtieth canto of 'Purgatory.' You will now it repeat." "Ah!" cried Nino, "that is where Dante meets Beatrice." "My hitherto not-by-any-means-extensive, but always from-the-conscience- undertaken reading, reaches not so far.